Lighting fixture



Nov. 16, 1954 N. s. FLORENCE 2,694,775

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. 2, 1951 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l I l L NVENTOR 30 Noel aflofieme ATTORNEYS Nov. 16, 1954 N. s. FLORENCE LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1951 INVENTOR jVbeJ SM/ ance ATTORNEYS United States Patent LIGHTING FIXTURE Noel S. Florence, New York, N. Y., assignor to Lightolier, Incorporated, a corporation of New York Application February 2, 1951, Serial No. 209,161

8 Claims. (Cl. 24051.11)

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures, more particularly of the type that are mounted flush with the building surface, usually flush with the ceilnig and while not limited to such use, are especially designed for kitchen use.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a fixture of the above type which is easy to re-lamp and clean and which is of durable, yet inexpensivle construction, neat and attractive in appearance and affords a nonglaring efficient light, uniformly and thoroughly diffused over the entire translucent surface of the fixture, without lamp image and entirely free from shadow.

. In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the fixtures as installed for use,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view on a larger scale showing the fixture opened for re-lamping,

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse cross section on a still larger scale, taken on line 33 of Fig. l,

away,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal cross section, taken on line 55 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional detail view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the fixture with parts broken Fig. 7 is a perspective detail view showing the mode of mounting the lamp terminals and the hinging bearing for the light diffuser.

Referring now to the drawings, the lamp may comprise a rectangular base 10, preferably of sheet metal to be aflixed flush against the ceiling or wall by a conventional mounting strap 11 affixed for rotary adjustment in a circular bezel 12 formed in the base. For mounting the lamp terminals 15, 16, desirably for two tubular lamps L, preferably of the fluorescent type, the base is provided with a pair of cross plates 17 which are aflixed, as for instance by screws 18 or rivets, desirably to ledges 19 inturned from the longitudinal edges of lateral flanges 13 and 14. The plastic insulating terminal structures which themselves may be conventional, may be lodged in corresponding notches 20 in the ends of the respective cross plates 17 and affixed by means of bolts 21 to be pressed against the inner face of said plates 17, so that the height of the terminals protrudes from the cross plate. The second terminal 16 on each plate is similar to terminal 15 but includes the conventional horizontal extension 22 along the inner face of the cross-piece 17 for mounting the usual starter accessory 23 which protrudes, for convenience of replacement through a corresponding hole 24 in the cross plate. The usual ballast unit B is affixed against the face of the base plate by nuts 25 upon threaded studs 26 rigid with said plate.

Desirably, a reflector plate 27, preferably of sheet metal, coated with white enamel and of length to fit between the two cross plates 17, is removably mounted on the base and covers the ballast B and other parts on the base plate 10. This reflector plate is desirably in the form of a dihedral angle, the faces of which are curved to appropriate parabolic form, so that, when mounted in position the effective axis of each corresponding lamp is substantially at the focus of a parabola. At each lateral edge the reflector plate has a flange 28 with an outstanding longitudinal rib 29, and may be releasably mounted in position by placing the longitudinal rib 29 at one side thereof under the edge of the corresponding 2,694,775 Patented Nov. 16, 1954 inturned ledge 19 and then snapping the similar rib 29 at the opposed side in place under the edge of the opposed ledge 19. When thus positioned the reflector extends symmetrically of the two lamps L with each substantially at the focus of the corresponding parabolic mirror for uniform distribution of light.

The fixture includes a diffusion shield 30 desirably of plastic, such as, for instance, polystyrene or methyl methacrylate which desirably is finely ribbed, as shown, longitudinally of its surface to erase lamp images and uniformly diffuse light over the entire surface thereof. For convenience of opening the diffuser shield for re-lamping and cleaning, hinge means is provided for the shield, preferably to hinge it at one longitudinal edge thereof to the corresponding flange 13 of the base. In a preferred and simple construction the hinge mount for each end of the light diffuser comprises a pivot rod or Wire 31 affixed to the corresponding cross plate 17, and lodged in longitudinal groove 13' of the corresponding flange 13 of the base 10.

The fixture also comprises end caps 32 mounted on the base, each having its peripheral flange 33 conformed, snugly to embrace the corresponding end of the diffusion shield 30 and also to extend over the ends of the mounting flanges 13 and 14 and thereby to retain the diffusion shield in place. The base 10 is cut away slightly at each end to afford notches 34, to accommodate the base 33 of the cap flange 33 to extend flush (as best shown in Fig. 5) with the base 10.

Each of the end caps which are desirably of appropriate metal, preferably chrome plated or enameled, is mounted for limited longitudinal slide relative to the base in order to permit release of the difiusion shield 30 to drop about its hinge mount 31 for cleaning and re-lamping. To this end, the base flange 33 of each end cap 32 has desirably riveted thereto as at 35, a strap 36 with inturned short lateral flanges 37 to straddle corresponding short grooves 38 longitudinally of the end portions of the base plate 10.

The plastic diffusion shield 30 is channel shaped in cross section and has an inrolled conformation 41 at one edge thereof, adapted to fit in said longitudinal groove 13', and at opposite ends thereof to accommodate said wire terminal fingers 31. For symmetry and ease of assembly, the diffusion shield is inrolled at both edges as shown.

Fingers 31 must be displaceable to permit installation of the diffusion shield for pivotal movement of its inrolled rim thereabout. To this end each pivot wire 31 is the end of a corresponding bail hingedly aflixed one to each of the respective cross plates 17. Each bail 40 desirably extends at one end through a slot 42 in said cross plate and is mounted by extending transversely under an outstanding tongue 43 of said cross plate, thence outwardly at 44 along one edge of the cross plate, with its terminal finger 31 extending longitudinally along the outer face of the base flange 13, as previously described.

Through a longitudinal slot 45 in the strap 36 passes a stud 46 affixed to the base 10 and a leaf spring 47 affixed to the stud exerts friction against the strap to maintain the end cap in desired position, and to permit frictional retention of the end cap, either in the inner or set position for abutment against the end of plate 10, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, or in outer or release position as shown in dash lines in said figure.

The fixture installed, usually against the ceiling of a room such as a kitchen, will effect most eflicient light distribution, for in the embodiment shown the light from the two fluorescent lamp tubes L is projected by the surface of the generally parabolic reflector 27 in beams that penetrate the respective sides of the shield 30, which shield effects its diffusion function and precludes any image of the source of light. Substantially shadowless light distribution thus ensues. Despite the lack of intimate contact between the inrolled conformation 41 and the longitudinal groove 13', which is a consequence of manufacturing tolerances, there is yet no light leakage therebetween due to the curved conformation of these parts.

In order to clean or re-lamp, it is merely necessary to pull the end caps 32 apart, so that the straps 36 thereof willbe slid outward'as far as the elongated slot 45 will permit. Upon the consequent release of its ends, the diffusion shield 30 will automatically drop by gravity about its pivot hinges 31 to the open position shown in Fig. 2. The fixturepis, thus open, for convenience ofcl'eaningon relamping,, whereupon: the diffusion shield 30: may be raisedabout its pivots 31; to: homepositionand the end caps 32-,slidback toembracetheends of such shield;

As ,many. changescould bemade in: the above construction, and many apparently widely different. embodiments ofv this invention; could be: made without. departing: from the-scopeof the;claims,.it is intended; that all matter contained inthe,- abovedescription or. shown in: the accompanying: drawingsshall. be interpreted as illustrative and not: in alimiting ,sense..

Having thus described, my-invention, what I claim as new. and. desired to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A lightingfixture-comprisinga generallyrectangular base adapted togbemounted against aflat supporting surface, hanger means near one ofthe-side edges ofsaid base, a ditfusion shield;pivotally mounted on. said hanger means and extending ,longitudinallyof said base and'end caps at each end of said base and adapted to embrace the ends of said shield,.said .end caps-each havingan inwardly extendingmountwith complementary meanson eachend of said base and. each i of. said mounts, slidablyconnecting each endcapto the associated end of said base and limiting the outward movement of said: caps, whereby upon sliding said-end caps outwardly the shield will drop about its hinge;mount for convenience in re-lamping and cleaning;

2. A lighting fixture comprisinga generally rectangular sheettmetalbase. adapted to'be mounted against aceiling or the like, saidlbase havingnear the opposite ends thereof, terminals for releasably accommodating one or more fluorescent lamp tubes and .having meansalso for supportingvarious accessories,.to.such lamps, wire hangers on said base, said hangers each having a pivot rod extending fromtthe respective ends-of thebase towardeach other, a channel,shaped diffusion shield havingaminrolled conformation! near opposite: ends. theref atone. side thereof for accommodating said pivot rods; end caps conformed to the shapeof said diffusion shield, said:endcaps each having an inwardly extending.tnount-with complementary means on each end otksaid' base. and each of said-mounts slidably connecting-each-end,cap-to the..associated. end of said base and limiting the. outward movementlof'said caps, said caps. embracing the, corresponding, ends:-v of the diffusion shield, whereby upon sliding said end caps outward, vthe diffusion,shield-willbereleasedand will ,drop about said pivot.rods to open-position for convenience in cleaning and re-lamping;

3; Theycoinbination.recitedinclaim l in.which each slidable end'-cap..has abase fiangexandthe mount is a metal strap extendinglongitudinally inward from the base flange. and presenting a channel conformation riding along corresponding. ribs alongthebase and a screw stud through a longitudinal lslot in saidstrap frictionally connects the strap to thenbaseuandinwhich the, strapmaintains the base flange; of the..end cap substantially flush withthe base so thatthe desired sliding movement of the end cap maybe etfectedwith thebase securely-'atfixed to the ceiling or wall.

4. The combination recitedcinclaim 2 in which each pivot rod .is' .an end-fingeriof a wire.. bail'pivotally affixed with respect to th'e baseto permit'displacement of said pivot rods for convenience in installing the'ditfusion shield.

5. A lighting fixture comprising a rectangular sheet metal base having inturned lateral'fianges, cross plates transversely of said flanges; aflixed'thereto and extending lit parallel to said base, terminals for fluorescent lamps affixed to said cross plates, lamp operating accessories affixed to said base, wire support bails hingedly affixed to the respective cross plates and having terminal fingers extending from the respective ends of the base along one of the flanges thereof, said flange having a longitudinal groove conformation accommodating said fingers, a plastic diffusion shield channel shaped in cross section having an inrolled rim along one longitudinal edge thereof accommodated in said groove and accommodating said wire fingers, and end-caps slidably aflixed to said base and having flanges conformed to and embracing the respective ends of said shield in innermost position of said caps.

6. The combination recited in claim 5 in which the lateral flanges of the base protrude longitudinally somewhat beyond the base and the' end edge of the base serves as a stop for defining the innermost position of the end caps.

7. A lightingfixture comprising a base, lamp terminals mounted on saidbase nearthe respective ends thereof for accommodating a tubular lamp therebetween, reflector means removably-aflixed to saidv base and extending between the base and the lamp, pivot bearing means on said base near;the respective ends thereof at one side, a plastic diffusionsshield of channel'shape having an inrolled rim embracingsaid pivot means, end caps slidably mounted on:said.base and having'inwardly extending flanges to accommodate the'endsof the shield and means to limit the plntward movement of said end caps for release of the s ield.

8. A lighting fixture-comprising a sheet metal rectangular base having lateralflanges, each with an inturned ledge, sheet metal cross plates aflixed at their opposite ends to the respective inturned ledges and extending transversely across the base, two lamp terminals mounted on each of the cross plates and adapted to accommodate two tubular lamps to extend lengthwise of the fixture, a sheet metal reflector plate conformed as a dihedral angle with generally parabolic sidesiand'presenting lateral flanges each with; a longitudinal: outstanding rib for convenience in releasably snapping the same in place between the inturned ledges; said reflector plate being of length for accommodation between the cross plates, wire bails hingedly aflixed tothe respective cross plates, each having an end finger, the fingers of the opposite hinge bails extending toward each other from opposite ends of the base at one side thereof, the base flange. having-a longitudinal groove'accommodating said fingers, a plastic diffusion shield, channel shapedincross section having an inrolled conformation at oneedge, thereof adapted to fit in said longitudinal groove andto accommodate said wire end fingers and end caps slidably mounted on-the respective ends of the base, each having a peripheral flange conformed to accommodate the corresponding'end of the diffusion shield, each end edge of the: base serving as a stop for limiting the closing movement'of the corresponding end cap, said base having .end notches to accommodate the base flange'of theendicap so that said flange extends flush with the base of thefixture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,997,687 Hoegger Apr. 16, 1935 2,295,788 Hoeveler Sept. 15,1942 2,321,099- Naysmith June 8, 1943 2,331,774" Guth' Oct. 12, 1943 2,334,005: Hoeveler Nov. 9, 1943 2,342,570 Biller Feb. 22, 1944 2,559,640 Kruger July 10, 1951 

